Perhaps…Writers quote Wednesday

March 2, 2016March 2, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha38 Comments

During my recent foray for freelance writing opportunities, the quote below jumped out from somewhere and glared me in the eyes.

The freelance writer is a man who is paid per piece, or per word or perhaps. Robert Benchley.

The ‘perhaps’ part got stuck in my head, drumming away at my thoughts and I knew that it’s my quote for Writer’s quote Wednesday.

I mulled over it nursing a mug of tea and toast and not willing to accept the perhaps part of these things.

I continued ruminating over it even as I later nursed this yogurt and granola beside me, still questioning the perhaps part of things.

My dull mind refused to acknowledge the fact that perhaps meant you may go for months and months as a writer, waxing brilliant and intelligent words and all, yet pauperized.

Perhaps meant, queries that may never get answered and yet you continue swallowing the bitter pill of your writers pride and keep sending the queries until your name is emblazoned on the medulla oblongata of the editor, until he/she decides to save himself a thriving headache and gives you a space to submit your write up on the different species of Cactus.

I ruminated further, taking off my rose-coloured spectacles and the truth of the matter is that we are all freelancing on our blogs, labouring lovingly over our words with the word ‘perhaps’ hanging in the balance of our thoughts.

‘Perhaps,’ in the long run, every single word would be worth the trouble and your medal as a writer, well worn with pride.

Blog · Featured Blogs · Share A Link

Featured blogs 10…Let’s Create A Fine Chain.

March 2, 2016March 2, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha4 Comments

Today’s featured blogs are:

Margos Views. You simply cannot ignore that little voice. I dare you 😉

Writing in North Norfolk Irresistible photos that connect with your spirit, body and soul.

Cane Pain What is there not to love about this article. I was glad I read it last thing before sleeping two nights ago and it gave me good chuckles.

A tribe untangled A new friend of mine and the beautiful bright words makes me feel good. I like positive things.

Leaping for freedom Have you met Colette? She has such a bright mind and her articles always brings out the drive in the reader.

Please visit their blogs and say hello. A few minutes may gain you a friendly support.

Do you want more eyes on your words?

Well then, add your LINK into this loop.

Regards

P.S. Comments are disabled here. You can add your link through the link in the post. It’s easier to be able to collate them that way. Thank you.

PLEASE KEEP THE LINKS COMING. DON’T LET OUR LOOP BREAK!

Uncategorized

It’s One Of Those Dear Diary Days….

March 2, 2016March 2, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha51 Comments

Today’s one of those days that I wake up questioning my madness once again. It’s 4.30 am and my mind was to toss the alarm clock under the bed.

My body felt heavy and I had a dull headache as if I hadn’t slept *well, some creatures were perambulating in my head as I was trying to get my beauty sleep* and I honestly felt like just getting the children to school in my nightwear and crawling back under my lovely duvet.

Excuse my French, I simply felt shitty! For so many reasons both known and unknown.

The primary thought on my mind is why on Earth am I grinding my teeth, determined to keep writing, when I can choose a nice calm career that might not require a lot of my mental faculties.

At this point I was beginning to think fleetingly that a career as a dog walker would be just fascinating and soothe my frazzled nerves.

The dogs will keep me in shape and amuse me as well, and I could tell my tales to them as they gaze at me in pure admiration. Madness.

I dragged myself into the steamy hot shower and allowed the water to cascade down for several minutes. It’s so soothing and blissful. It revs up my engine.

Jumping into my exercise gear, I dilly-dally on the computer a bit before waking the young’uns to get ready for school and breakfast.

Mind over matter, I kept muttering to my mind and mind won.

I hit the trail, poured out some sweat and the headache was lost in transit.

Now, I sit down here in Starbucks, checking out freelance opportunities and looking at people pass me by. It’s all good as I feel a lift in my spirit and I am thankful for the ability to literally drag myself by my boot straps and get going.

Indeed, there are days in our lives that are filled with such moments of misgivings, but when we sit and appreciate the little things that surrounds us and our well-being, the picture looks brighter.

Have you experienced one of such day’s recently? How did you handle it? I like learning new ways.

‘It will all end in praise.’

You can join Colline’s or Maria Jansson gratitude challenge platforms.

Uncategorized · Wordless Wednesday

Snookers…

March 2, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha10 Comments

Photographs · Uncategorized · Wordless Wednesday

Frisbee Time…Wordless Wednesday.

March 2, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha11 Comments

Inspiration - Motivation · Life · Midnight motivation and musings · Quotes For You

Midnight Motivations and Musings 22…

March 1, 2016March 1, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha34 Comments

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There are those who are experts in finding every feasible excuse under this side of the planet why something cannot be achieved, meanwhile the solution to achieving the goal is just as plain as the day and right before their nose.

They build their pessimistic mountains out of molehills and nothing ever gets done around them, due to the long chain of all the bad things that could go wrong if they ventured to take a risk.

So, they never venture. They cower in a corner and try to discourage those who dare to venture.

Life in itself is a risk. From the day you were born it is a risk, until the day you die.

It’s either you live as fully as you can or you die having never lived.

Blog · Self Help · Share A Link

Featured Blogs 9…. Lets’ Create A Fine Chain.

March 1, 2016March 1, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha

Today’s featured blogs are:

Let’s count to infinity Can you do the count?

Life of badges I would like to introduce Peter to you. A new found friend on mine in this space. I have enjoyed a number of his thoughtful posts and limericks. Please show some love.

Confession time Anna’s confessions. I couldn’t believe it myself 😉

Cut to the chase A fabulous reading series from Kay Morris that I have been following for a while. I actually watch out for the post so that I can keep up with Lainey’s story.

My humble opinion about cheap tomatoes from Websaladbar. I am not American, but something about this post got my knickers in a twist.

Please visit their blogs and say hello. A few minutes may gain you a friendly support.

Do you want more eyes on your words?

Well then, add your LINK into this loop.

Regards

P.S. Comments are disabled here. You can add your link through the link in the post. It’s easier to be able to collate them that way. Thank you.

PLEASE DON’T LET OUR FINE CHAIN BREAK. KEEP SENDING THE LINKS.

Lifestyle · Memes · My Thinking Corner · Self Help · Uncategorized

Tuesdays Trickles…My Thinking Corner 11.

March 1, 2016March 1, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha19 Comments

Every Tuesday, I share snippets of thoughts that I call ‘My Thinking Corner.’

I would like to invite you to participate. The challenge is quite simple.

Each Tuesday, share your very short snippets of positive, inspiring, motivating, health, spiritual, writing advice, clips, posts etc, that can serve as a prop to motivate others and simply add my link to your post.

I call it my thinking corner because, I actually take out a bit of time just to think through things, encapsulate my thoughts as much as possible and detoxify my mind.

It might work for you in a different way, but the idea is to get the positive thoughts flowing.

Please send in your little thoughts. You never know whose life you might inspire.

♦ When you’ve achieved everything but you failed to love anyone and impact on them positively, you’ve achieved nothing.

♦ Living a more intentional life, leaves little room for waste.

♦ Whatever time that is not used well is lost. You will never get it back again, however, remember that rest is part of it, so that you do not experience diminishing returns from exhaustion. The idea is to create balance.

♦ You don’t have time to join issues with everybody. Choose your battles wisely. If something is not adding any value to your life and purpose, then it is probably not worth wasting valuable energy on.

♦ Your joy is dependent on you and can only be stolen when you allow it to be so.

Regards,

Our Thinkers Thoughts came in from:

Deb of Bookyglover words are always succinctly stated. Observing these little things can go a long way to a fulfilled life.

Giggles & Tales in Stella’s words ‘Life is a bristle of challenges. Life is filled with ups and downs. But no matter the difficulties, don’t allow it to kill your enthusiasm for success.’ The rest of her wise words can be found in her link.

Kingsoracle sometimes, we need to take those quantum leaps of risks to make any head way. Oba’s words strike a chord in me.

Striving Mom words on taking note of your life lessons are words that we should repeat to ourselves everyday.

A Thomas point of view makes me want to keep striving and so should you.

Anette’s With these three simple things from a Hippie Chick who knows her worth, you’ve got it going right.

Thank you to all the contributors. May these words take roots in our lives and may our harvest be bountiful 🙂

‘So, when will you share those nuggets of wisdom of yours?’

Lifestyle · Memes · Midnight motivation and musings · Uncategorized

Midnight Motivations and Musings 21…

February 29, 2016February 29, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha10 Comments

Procrastination and evasion deprives us of so much and over time, when we weigh the time wasted debating on whether or not we should take a step, it accumulates to a tidy part of a lifetime.

Procrastination leaves us with so many, what if’s, had I known and should have’s which can be avoided, when we conscientiously take daily steps in living more purposeful and intentional lives.

We not super-human and are bound to falter now and again, but when our focus is targeted and meticulous, a falter will not send us completely off track.

In tying in evasiveness and forgiveness or kindness, some are far willing to cut the entire slack for themselves and granting every excuse under the Sun as lee-ways to dilly-dally, while they use an iron fist of expectation on others.

To lead, or impact on others, you must, yourself be an example worth emulating.

Blog · Personal · Photographs · Uncategorized

Leaping Along…personal

February 29, 2016February 29, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha17 Comments

My new skipping rope. The previous one was a killer rope in it's past life. — My new skipping rope. The previous one was a killer rope in it’s past life.

So here I am seated in-between Sugoi and Umami, two Far East Urban Cuisine/Japanese and trying to decide what to eat as well as checking my mails when I see Colette’s challenge sent to me to leap and the Daily post prompt to leap as well, so I will kill two birds with one stone.

Don’t think that I am a food addict. A girl has to eat to keep the brain cells functional and aside from a bowl of porridge and currants this morning, this is a late lunch of my decision, veggie rice and teriyaki prawns.

I enjoy the drone of voices. It’s amazing when you keep silent and just listen to the cacophonous buzz around you. My thoughts takes me back to the beginning of the year and how far I am leaping along.

Thinking about leaping made start looking at people’s feet as they passed by, for silly reasons. No one was leaping out-rightly, just a scurry, a flinch, a waddle and a slow trot.

Where have I leaped to between Jan and now?

I tried to leap high, but feared that I would break a precious bone, so I just hopped along.

I just bought a new skipping rope, a few minutes ago. Very apt for leaping out of a month. I will obviously leap a lot in March.
The last one I had was used for drilling young recruits in its past life. It kept flogging the back of my legs *no jokes* when I didn’t skip high enough, that I had to ask myself if the punishment was worth the result?

So, I finally finished collating my poetry book and hopefully, by next week, I will seek professional assistance with editing and book cover. The plan is to have it out between March and April, so it’s right on track and I can tick the box for hopping along with my set target to have four of my published works out this year.

Yes, I know its a tall challenge, but I believe in setting a high bar for myself so that even if I fail to meet all, I fail forward by achieving a good percentage.

I hopped to a writer’s critic group and asides from parting with too many dirhams buying coffee and sandwich, watching people feel snazzy and writer-like with the interesting hair-dos and streaks of colours, and a huge dragon tattoo running from one shoulder into her bosom *I didn’t get to see the bosom* but the dragon did, and a lot of Shisha smoking all around, I really didn’t get much out of the experience, so I am quite doubtful that I will repeat the experience.

I dared to submit one of my stories for a competition. The results don’t come out till March, though in all honesty, I am not expecting anything, since the whole World, their wives, pet garter snakes, dogs and cats made an appearance. A cool cat is most likely going to win the prize. I did it to push myself out of my comfort zone and get over the jitters.